Understanding Horizon Europe Open Science Requirements: A Practical Guide for Grant Holders

• November 5, 2024

If you’re a Horizon Europe (HE) grant holder, you may have questions about your obligations regarding Open Access to publications and Research Data Management. This article provides a breakdown of the HE requirements and highlights the tools and services available through OpenAIRE to ensure compliance. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the expectations, and be equipped with resources to manage and share your research data effectively.

Horizon Europe Open Science Requirements: Key Points

Open Science practices are an integral part of Horizon Europe’s framework, designed to foster transparency, accessibility, and reproducibility in research. These requirements fall under two primary categories:

1. Open Access to Publications: All publications resulting from HE-funded projects must be openly accessible. This mandate emphasizes making research findings available to the wider community without barriers, promoting a free exchange of knowledge.
2. Research Data Management (RDM): HE grant holders are also required to manage and share research data responsibly. This includes establishing Data Management Plans (DMPs), which outline how data will be handled during and after a project, ensuring data transparency and accessibility.

Mandatory and Recommended Open Science Requirements

Horizon Europe has both mandatory and recommended practices related to Open Science:

• Mandatory Requirements: These include providing Open Access to publications, creating Data Management Plans, and reporting publications and datasets.
• Recommended Practices: While not obligatory, researchers are encouraged to implement practices like pre-registering studies, sharing methodologies, and making their data FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

Ensuring Compliance with Open Access Mandates

To comply with the HE Open Access requirements:

• Publish in Open Access Journals or Repositories: HE-funded researchers must publish their findings in platforms that ensure immediate open access or deposit the publications in repositories that support open access.
• Respect Copyright and Licensing Norms: Researchers should apply licenses like Creative Commons to ensure publications remain open and accessible.

Managing and Sharing Research Data in HE Projects

Research data generated within HE projects must be managed and shared according to best practices. This process includes creating a Data Management Plan (DMP), which is submitted and reviewed as part of the project’s lifecycle.

• Data Management Plans (DMPs): These documents specify how data will be collected, managed, stored, and shared, ensuring compliance with HE’s data-sharing guidelines.
• Dataset Reporting: In addition to sharing publications, researchers must report all relevant datasets generated through their work, promoting transparency and data accessibility.

Supporting Compliance with OpenAIRE Tools and Services

OpenAIRE, a not-for-profit organization supported by several Horizon Europe grants, offers a variety of tools and services to aid in Open Science compliance. These resources are especially helpful for project coordinators, research managers, librarians, and data stewards who play a critical role in implementing Open Science practices.

• OpenAIRE’s Services for HE Projects: OpenAIRE provides services to support compliance, including a repository for publications, DMP templates, and tools for dataset reporting. These resources are tailored to the needs of HE projects, simplifying the process of fulfilling Open Science obligations.

Upcoming Webinar: A Practical Session on HE Requirements

To aid grant holders in understanding these requirements, OpenAIRE is hosting a webinar dedicated to HE’s Open Science obligations.

• Date & Time: 22nd November 2022, 12:00 CET
• Target Audience: Project Coordinators, Researchers, Research Managers, Librarians, and Data Stewards

During this session, OpenAIRE experts will present the HE Open Science requirements, demonstrate key tools, and address participant questions. This is an ideal opportunity for HE grant holders to gain hands-on insights into managing Open Science obligations.

Register and Join!

For those interested in ensuring they meet HE’s Open Science requirements, this webinar promises a wealth of practical advice and expert guidance. Make sure to register and take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your understanding and compliance.